Hot water can be a large part of your energy bill, averaging around 28%. This can be reduced
substantially by using solar technologies. Cash rebates are available from the
Federal government ($1000 for electric to solar conversion) and some from some
state governments (amount varies). Installing a Solar Hot Water system will
also earn you Renewable Energy Credits (REC) which can be on sold for
$500-$1500. Solar hot water systems can have the water tank on the roof or on
the ground with a circulation pump. When deciding on the type of system,
consider the weight on the roof and the approvals required from your local
council. Where the water tank is on the ground the roof collector is less than
100 kg.Energy savings of 60% to 90% should be expected. Retrofit kits are available for existing ground tanks which
saves about 33% of hardware costs. Complete solar hot water hardware costs from
$3200. Retrofit solar hot water hardware costs from $2000. Installation costs
vary relating to roof type, roof height, roof pitch, distance from solar hot
water collector to hot water tank and council fees. Green loans may be
available to you for the capital costs of a solar hot water system. Consider a period of accurate electricity measurement of
hot water power circuit before embarking on a major investment.Try to
calculate your consumption per year and then work out the potential savings
using the tables below.

No energy saving electric hot water

Litres / $kWh

Local cost of electricity in dollars per kilowatt hour (kWh)

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.2

0.22

0.24

5000

$20

$26

$31

$36

$41

$46

$52

$57

$62

10000

$41

$52

$62

$72

$83

$93

$104

$114

$124

15000

$62

$78

$93

$109

$124

$140

$156

$171

$187

20000

$83

$104

$124

$145

$166

$187

$208

$228

$249

25000

$104

$130

$156

$182

$208

$234

$260

$286

$312

30000

$124

$156

$187

$218

$249

$280

$312

$343

$374

35000

$145

$182

$218

$254

$291

$327

$364

$400

$436

40000

$166

$208

$249

$291

$332

$374

$416

$457

$499

45000

$187

$234

$280

$327

$374

$421

$468

$514

$561

50000

$208

$260

$312

$364

$416

$468

$520

$572

$624

55000

$228

$286

$343

$400

$457

$514

$572

$629

$686

60000

$249

$312

$374

$436

$499

$561

$624

$686

$748

65000

$270

$338

$405

$473

$540

$608

$676

$743

$811

70000

$291

$364

$436

$509

$582

$655

$728

$800

$873

75000

$312

$390

$468

$546

$624

$702

$780

$858

$936

80000

$332

$416

$499

$582

$665

$748

$832

$915

$998

85000

$353

$442

$530

$618

$707

$795

$884

$972

$1,060

90000

$374

$468

$561

$655

$748

$842

$936

$1,029

$1,123

95000

$395

$494

$592

$691

$790

$889

$988

$1,086

$1,185

100000

$416

$520

$624

$728

$832

$936

$1,040

$1,144

$1,248

Assuming 80% solar energy savings for making hot water

Litres / $kWh

Local cost of electricity in dollars per kilowatt hour (kWh)

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.2

0.22

0.24

5000

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

10000

$8

$10

$12

$14

$16

$18

$20

$22

$24

15000

$12

$15

$18

$21

$24

$28

$31

$34

$37

20000

$16

$20

$24

$29

$33

$37

$41

$45

$49

25000

$20

$26

$31

$36

$41

$46

$52

$57

$62

30000

$24

$31

$37

$43

$49

$56

$62

$68

$74

35000

$29

$36

$43

$50

$58

$65

$72

$80

$87

40000

$33

$41

$49

$58

$66

$74

$83

$91

$99

45000

$37

$46

$56

$65

$74

$84

$93

$102

$112

50000

$41

$52

$62

$72

$83

$93

$104

$114

$124

55000

$45

$57

$68

$80

$91

$102

$114

$125

$137

60000

$49

$62

$74

$87

$99

$112

$124

$137

$149

65000

$54

$67

$81

$94

$108

$121

$135

$148

$162

70000

$58

$72

$87

$101

$116

$131

$145

$160

$174

75000

$62

$78

$93

$109

$124

$140

$156

$171

$187

80000

$66

$83

$99

$116

$133

$149

$166

$183

$199

85000

$70

$88

$106

$123

$141

$159

$176

$194

$212

90000

$74

$93

$112

$131

$149

$168

$187

$205

$224

95000

$79

$98

$118

$138

$158

$177

$197

$217

$237

100000

$83

$104

$124

$145

$166

$187

$208

$228

$249

Sample Solar Hot Water Use

Value

Yearly cost of current hot water

$400

20 year cost of hot water

$8,000

Potential solar savings at 80%

$6,400

Sample Full Replacement Solar Hot Water

Value

Hardware

$3,100

Installation

$1,000

Government Rebate (check conditions)

-$1,600

Renewable Energy Credits

-$1,200

Installed Cost

$1,300

Sample Retrofit Solar Hot Water

Value

Hardware

$2,100

Installation

$800

Installed Cost

$2,900

Suggestions:
Minimize hot water consumption as part of the hot water strategy. Confirm
that your existing hot water system has zinc anodes inside as they prevent
corrosion within the tank and that they are replaced as recommended. If hot
water is on its own off peak tariff then its cost can be read from the power
bill. Get multiple quotes for solar hot water. Compare how many RECs can be
claimed for each system which relates to efficiency. Compare the return on
investment relative to other energy efficiency measures. If your existing hot
water system breaks then solar hot water may calculate to be more appealing
financially. Check conditions of rebates before embarking on a solar project.
Solar hot water may not suit small consumers of hot water. Some suppliers
referenced have online calculators for rebates.

Solar power
(PV) can be used to contribute to your energy provision and the Federal
Government has large rebates are now available for installing solar power.
If you participate in the Renewable Remote Power
Generation Program (RRPGP) can get up to 50% of capital costs for solar or wind
projects where fossil fuels are being replaced. When your site is located away
from the grid power network alternative power may be cheaper to install than
trying to connect to the grid. Installing a Solar Power system also earns
Renewable Energy Credits which can be on sold. The cost of solar panels is
around $7000 for a 5kW of panels including an inverter.
Other costs to consider include labour, mounting hardware, cabling and a new
power meter that can accept 2 power sources.

Business can install up to 30 kW of solar in Queensland if they use a zero feed in controller.
This can substantially reduce the day time peak energy usage.
Building energy management systems and battery storage can further reduce overall energy costs.

Solar systems can be
installed as a community with income coming back to the persons who initially
paid for the solar panels. This concept has enhanced the Emerald State School solar installation
with an additional 9 solar panels. For those with remote solar
systems, then cost of batteries and inverters need to be added to the
calculations of set up costs. Power transfer switching is available that can
change between the solar power inverter output and generator power and it can
also switch if load exceeds inverter ability. Wind energy
may also work with a remote alternative energy mix.Floating solar power can be deployed on dams.
This improves efficiency because its cooler and reduces evaporation.
This is used in England, Japan and Singapore.
Solar power is being combined with pumped storage hydro-electricity using 2 ex open pit mines in North Queensland (Kidston). This provides 24/7 power.
49 GW of solar power was added worldwide in 2016.

Sample 5kW Solar Energy Calculations

Value

Total size of solar panels (watts)

5000

Installed cost after rebates and RECS

$7000

Annual home power generated expected (kWh)

9453

Lifespan in years

30

Total lifetime power output (kWh)

283,590

Cost per kWh

$0.025

Compare this type of calculation for your area with what you pay for electricity now
and how much you use. Also consider if you will earn any feed in tariffs.
Consider that electricity prices will increase over the next 30 years (the
approximate life of a solar systems) while generating your own power will have
a fixed up front cost only.

Solar security lighting contains batteries to collect solar energy during the day and will
illuminate when motion is detected and the ambient light is low. It requires no
wiring and can be useful in entrance ways, and for perimeter security and path
lighting. The use of LED lighting with a solar power source can improve
endurance of these lights. This class of lighting can be bought for
approximately $40 to $150 each. No electrician is required for installation but
remember to follow installation directions carefully.

Solar night lighting contains batteries to collect solar energy during the day and will
illuminate when the ambient light is low. It requires no wiring and it can be
useful for street lighting, path lighting, bus shelters and parking lots. The
use of LED lighting with a solar power source can improve endurance. Simple
single LED garden lighting is available for less than $10 each. Multiple LED
lighting will cost from $40 to $150 each. No electrician is required for
installation, but follow the installation directions carefully. Larger lighting
systems can be designed using separate solar panels, batteries and lighting with
more options possible.

The use of solar power use could be advantageous when the cost of running trenches,
conduit and mains cable exceeds the cost of a solar power system. Solar is also
useful for boats, caravans and motor homes when away from mains electricity. To
work out your costs calculate the likely power needs and for what amount of
time. Then calculate the solar panel, regulator, battery and inverter
requirements. Consider 12 volt devices that do not need to go via an inverter
to save on some costs. Small solar panels costing around $30 can be used to
maintain battery voltage and condition for generators, vehicles and other
machinery. A simple small solar system can be set up using a 20 Watt panel
(approx. $60), a regulator ($30-$70), a battery 12 volt 24 Amp hour (about $120),
and a 150 Watt inverter (about $50). This system could run a 12 volt 1 amp
light all night; an efficient laptop in a remote location; a fan; of a
multitude of garden LED lights. Small DC fridges can be run using an 80 Watt
panel and a larger battery. Small DC pumps can be operated with solar/battery
system for short periods of time. Larger solar pumping systems can be used for
obtaining groundwater for livestock or for people in remote locations. Other
possible applications include security surveillance cameras, communication
relay stations and environmental monitoring systems including SCADA. Where
remote renewable power will be used to replace fossil fuel generation a 50%
rebate on capital costs can be applied for in advance of the project from the
Australian Government for example of up to projects less than $200000,
generation greater than 450 Watts at a site greater than 1km from grid would be
considered for funding assistance.5300 solar panels (1.4 million watts) and 60 Powerpack batteries (12,000 kWh) replaces diesel generators on Samoa island Tau.

Suggestions:
Also consider this technology where mains availability is not reliable.
Professional help with installation can avoid safety issues.

Twelve volt
lighting operating from a battery is suitable for alternative power systems and
is classed as low voltage which then gives you greater freedom on who can do
the wiring. LED lighting, CFL and fluorescent lighting can operate from 12
volts DC. Running DC devices saves some
inverter provisioning and improves efficiency by not needing to go through an
inverter. Most lighting formats are now
available in 12 volt styles and if supplied from an alternative energy power source
once set up they can be operated practically for free.

Suggestions:
Use alternative energy or switch mode power supplies to supply the 12 volts.
Include overload protection components for each lighting circuit.

It is now
possible to sign up with your electricity company for a green power option for
all or part of your power bill. There will be a slight increase in the cost of your electricity if you nominate the
green power option. It is suitable for people who rent or move frequently or
those who want to make a difference. If the demand for green power increases,
electricity companies will need to build more green power generators such as
wind, hydro, solar and biogas to accommodate the demand by making this choice.
People power could go a long way in contributing to the solution of reducing
carbon emissions.

Suggestions:
Buy at least a part of your electricity from green sources.
Perform comparisons between suppliers including where the green energy is coming from and try to acquire 100% Green sources.

This is a new class of alternative energy that is cheap to set up and expand. It works
with lower initial wind speeds 1 m/sec as compared to large wind turbines. The
system consists of plastic turbines where the outer circumferences have a tooth
finish so that they can be interconnected. A 12 turbine kit is capable of 100
Watts at 10 m/s winds. Newer models that can automatically turn to face the
oncoming wind are more efficient. The cost of micro turbines is less than solar
to set up and would suit cool windy areas. Another new wind turbine design is
to use multiple smaller wind turbine blades on a common shaft. A 2 kW turbine
can be bought for US $2000, plus the cost of the tower. Vertical wind turbines
can be set up on top of buildings and will work with urban turbulent wind
attributes. Special regulators are required for wind power as all power generated
must be used up for charging batteries, directly to the load or a dummy load in
a power or heat dump. Special control equipment is available to use the wind
energy to charge batteries and run an inverter to a load with a fallback of
switching to mains power. This type of system achieves use of all wind energy
produced in a day.

Suggestions:
Experimental kits are available.
This will accommodate large variations in wind speed.
Micro turbines are less obtrusive to large wind turbines.

For larger energy requirements of 200 to 20000 Watts and in areas with wind speeds of 3 to
20 metres per second, wind turbine kits are available. The costs of wind
turbines are less than solar but require clear space for a tower and guy wires.
A 1.8 kW wind turbine is available with inbuilt 240 V grid feed inverter for
approximately $11000 (plus tower). This type of wind turbine is being piloted
in New Hampshire (USA) on top of power poles with the electrical lines lower
down the pole. A 20 kW DC wind turbine can be bought for $32000 (plus tower).
Obstructions such as houses and trees should be distant from the turbines. Wind
maps are available to see what type of winds can be expected in your area. For
larger projects multiple turbines can be used. The larger the turbines, the
better the economies of scale in terms of setting up manpower and equipment
hire. Connection to the grid high voltage lines may be required so consider the
voltage and the distance. Large turbines can be bought in the range of 300 kW
to 2500 kW, with the largest ever built record at 8000 kW. Wind energy will
reduce diesel generator running costs when used with storage systems such as
batteries and flywheels. Distributed wind farms on the grid can improve wind
energy availability. Careful selection of location can achieve over 90%
availability for wind generated electricity. Wind farms can be built off shore,
as seen in Denmark and the UK.
Building wind farms close to the end users of the energy can reduce capital costs and
reduce transmission losses. Wind energy can be produced for less than 5 cents
per kWh. Ireland is in the process of constructing a 200 turbine wind farm with a generating
capacity of 520 MW which will accommodate 10% of the countries needs.
Portland Victoria has a 120 turbine, 195 MW,
A$330M wind farm in construction. Areas around wind farms can still be used for
grazing. Mawson Station in Antarctica has a 600 kW wind farm which is used for electricity,
melting ice for water and general heating. A community group is organising two 2MW turbines in Hepburn
Shire Victoria using a share offer to raise the necessary funds. Wind farms do not depend on
water supplies like conventional thermal plants and hydro electricity.
Tasmania and Queensland have had to turn down electrical output at some plants due to lack of water. As
each wind turbine is connected to the grid it can start making a return on
investment which is an advantage to large solar thermal plant with needs to be
completed before creating electricity.The Gansu Wind Farm in China reached 6000 MW in 2012. 54 GW of wind power was added worldwide in 2016.

Suggestions:
Confirm that your average yearly wind speed is 6 metres per second or higher.
Cool air is denser and therefore generates more energy for the same wind speed.
Consider local planning approval requirements of large tower.

A submersible pump that captures power produced by the action of waves of a
floating buoy going up and down 1-2 metres. This creates pressure which is fed
into a hydro style turbine on land. The first pilot of this system is in
Fremantle, West Australia. It is
estimated that a 1 metre high wave front can generate 20 kW per metre width. As
most of the Australian population lives on or near the coast, the transmission
losses to the load are minimal. An additional significant benefit is that the
pressurised water can also be used for direct desalination using osmosis, without
the electrical consumption of other desalination systems. One option that could
be useful is to use the system for electrical generation during the day peak
electrical load and then to produce desalinated water at night.

Another system is to use the wave pitch with floating metal cylinders containing
hydraulics and generators inside. These can be arranged in joined lengths with
electrical connections from each cylinder fed back to land.

Tidal power can be used for electrical generation by using submersible turbines connected
to a structure fixed to the sea floor. A 1.2 MW version with two 16 m turbines
with connected on a crossbeam is being used around the UK and Ireland.

Suggestions:
First perform an audit of the wave and tidal energy first by using meteorological information to predict ahead of time the likely generated output.

Solar thermal energy can be harnessed in many different ways. At a simple level
multiple curved mirrors with a focus point can be used to create steam. This is
a system currently being used in hospitals for sterilising equipment; provide
an input for absorption chillers cooling units or to run conventional thermal
electric generation plants. This technology can also be used to preheat steam
for existing coal or gas thermal electric generation plants which in turn
reduce raw material requirements and reduce carbon footprint. The Liddell coal
thermal plant in NSW has a solar thermal section helping to produce steam.
Smaller systems for example 25 kW, are available using
a parabolic dish with a Stirling thermal
engine at its focal point. Solar thermal plants can store steam to supply power
up to 20 hours a day. A manufacturing plant, using an Australian design opened
in 2008 by the company Ausra in Nevada (USA). This plant can produce 700 MW of
solar thermal equipment per annum. Its first big contract is for a 177 MW plant
in California covering 1 square mile. Presently the largest group of solar thermal plants in
the world is in the Californian Mojave Desert and generates 354 MW. The cost of
solar thermal generation output is similar to gas fired power stations (US 10.4
cents / kWh). In 2007 a 64 MW plant was opened in Nevada (USA) covering 400
acres and costing US $266 M. A 10 MW solar thermal plant is planned for
Cloncurry Queensland Australia at a cost of $31 M. Additional project for
plants producing over 50 MW are being coordinated in South Africa, Spain,
Florida, Arizona and Israel. Once the capital cost is paid for then solar
thermal is cheaper than coal thermal to run.Solar Thermal can also store heat with molton salt storage. This allows energy generation at night.
This is in use in Spain.

Suggestions: This technologycan control electrical energy generating costs in an environment of rising costs for coal, gas and nuclear raw materials.
Thermal coal prices have more than doubled between 2006 and 2008.
Unproductive land can be used for electricity generation.
Electricity can be exported across borders.

There are many designs to magnify the sun onto high efficiency solar cells. Magnification
of the sun by a factor of 1000:1 in area is now possible. The best multiple
junction solar cells currently available are near 40% efficient. To achieve
better efficiencies with this technology the system needs to track the sun
throughout the day. The benefits of such systems is a lower overall cost in $ per Watt output;
no requirement for water systems; solar cells will be a smaller proportion of overall costs;
and higher output will be achieved by tracking the sun with the best efficient
solar cells. Australia is planning a 154 MW plant in Mildura Victoria at a cost of $420 M. This
will utilise tracking mirrors directing sunlight to a central tower containing
the high efficiency solar cells. Smaller individual parabolic dishes with solar
cells at the focal point are available and will generate 35 kW. The payback
period is 5 years. More dishes can be erected as required to suit electrical
requirements or to extend an existing solar system. If new higher efficiency
cells come out then the small 0.23 metres squared cells can be easily be upgraded. Other
designs available use lenses and parabolic dishes to achieve a rectangular
prism shaped system. Smaller systems which can compete effectively with regular
flat solar panels are coming to market. Comparing $ per kWh output of CPV systems to flat solar panels,
CPV is more cost effective.

Suggestions:
Very suitable for regions that depend on diesel generators.